CEO and head chef: Cornèrcard boss Alessandro Seralvo on moments of culinary pleasure

CEO of Cornèrcard by day, passionate head chef in his private life: Alessandro Seralvo talks about his culinary passions and special moments of indulgence in this interview.

Pilgrims used to stop here on their long journey to the Madonna della Salute and Venice. Today, the Grotto della Salute is one of the most popular places in Lugano and the regular haunt of Cornèrcard CEO Alessandro Seralvo. An interview by the fireside, over casoncelli and torta della nonna. The manager talks about his favourite grotti, his talent as a pizzaiolo, and his involvement with Bella Italia and the GaultMillau Garden Party.

Alessandro Seralvo, you serve as the CEO of Cornèrcard. But you could also have a career as a pizzaiolo.

My pizza is excellent, and I really enjoy making it. During the Covid months, every pizzeria was closed. So I bought a pizza oven that can heat up to 450 degrees. I learned how to prepare the dough and let it rest, and I’m continually improving. I taught myself all you need to know; there are lots of super pros from Naples on YouTube showing the best way to do it. Now, when I go to my favourite pizzeria where I happen to know the owner, I politely ask if I can make my own pizza.

You can also cook Indian food.

I lived and worked in Mumbai for three years, and later in Taiwan. I learned to experiment with flavours and also gained an insight into Chinese-Japanese cuisine. I get particular applause for my chicken tikka masala and my dhal.

What type of restaurant do you prefer: fine dining or casual grotto?

I often go to very good restaurants for business and I appreciate that. In my private life, you’re more likely to find me in a grotto. When I eat in a grotto with friends, I can relax and unwind.

Then you must tell us your three favourite places in Ticino.

The Grotto della Salute in Lugano is my favourite spot. It has a beautiful garden, a great atmosphere inside, an excellent menu, and an impressive wine cellar. I also regularly visit the Gallo d’Oro right next to our offices in Lugano. In Bellinzona, I love the cuisine prepared by Lorenzo Albrici at the Locanda Orico.

You don’t just like the food, you like the chefs too.

Good chefs fascinate me. I admire the passion with which they work. The feel-good factor is very important to me when I visit a restaurant. I recently celebrated my partner’s birthday at Silvio Germann’s Mammertsberg on Lake Constance. It was pure poetry for us!

Cornèrcard is committed to gastronomy and is therefore also a presenting partner at «Bella Italia».

We identify with the theme and want to create moments of indulgence. Our card should be there for our customers’ special moments.

Cornèrcard, together with Mercedes-Benz, is now also a presenting partner at the GaultMillau Garden Party.

I attended the Garden Party for the first time last year and was completely fascinated: by the incredible set-up, by how close you are to the chefs, by the atmosphere. If you want a top tip from one of the chefs, you won’t be disappointed. We are proud to be part of the event and are already looking forward to the Garden Party in August.

You are also a golfer with an enviable handicap of 11. What are your favourite courses?

The Datai Langkawi by Ernie Els in Malaysia. Île aux Cerfs by Bernhard Langer in Mauritius. And of course I must also include the Lugano Golf Club in Magliaso, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to show my face in our clubhouse (laughs). The course is rather short but difficult, and it’s not easy to play to your handicap there. We are spoiled: You can also play at the Lugano Golf Club in winter.

In Ticino, everyone knows the Cornaro family, the Cornèr Bank and Cornèrcard. In German-speaking Switzerland, it is less well known.

Not everyone knows our bank, but many know our cards! Cornèr has been active in private banking for almost 75 years, but Dottore Cornaro discovered the world of credit cards in the 1970s. Bank of America, which was founded by an Italian family, was looking for a partner in Europe to increase acceptance in restaurants, hotels, and shops, and they chose us. In 1975, we introduced the first Visa credit card to Switzerland. The Cornèrcard Visa card has since grown into a strong brand.

What can Cornèrcard do that other credit card companies cannot do so well?

We invest a lot of time and money in training our call centre staff so that we can provide our customers with the best possible service; we regularly receive awards for this. We are innovative and are constantly bringing new cards onto the market; we are, in a sense, the development laboratory for VISA Europe.

You also offer a concierge service for Platinum cardholders. What does this involve?

Everything. It puts together entire trips for our customers, books flights, and if possible even finds a solution when you need to book a table in a busy restaurant. Our concierge service has to be even better than a good assistant.

Credit card acceptance has increased in recent years.

Since Covid, people have become more confident about using their credit cards for everyday transactions and even for smaller amounts. Credit cards are accepted. Modern people choose to make payments using their smartphones or smartwatches.

Can you also pay tips with a credit card or does it have to be cash?

Tips by card are no problem.

The interview appeared alongside other delicious restaurant recommendations in the magazine GaultMillau «Bella Italia».

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